Pages

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Bless my mess?

Or does it look like a jewelry store puked in here?  My husband is being VERY accommodating right now - one week before the show, bringing things up from basement for me, and agreeing to put up CHRISTMAS lights BEFORE deer season!  I'm trying very hard not to stress, which makes me physically ill, so starting early.  It helped that my fun beady friend and fellow show vendor Sally stopped by yesterday to chat - and ended up helping clean (she cleans houses for a living), move some furniture for easier traffic flow, AND - getting a hold of a box of items that I hadn't planned to include in the show.  I now have TWICE the inventory I planned on thanks to her - but my husband is on HER side surprisingly enough - put out as much as I can, because you never know what people might want.  And since it's here at my house - it's not like I have to rush to put it all away when the show is done, and in fact, I may try to leave a small table up for friends that wanted to come and couldn't make it.  Sort of a 24/7/365 shopping experience!  lol!

Took a few photos of the 'before' - I can't WAIT to show the after.  I DO tend to obsess about my displays, and again, because I am here at home, I can start early and obsess to my hearts content.  Today I headed to Hobby Lobby for earring wires, and walked out with TONS of holiday show displays, boxes, bows, bags - all 50% off!  Who can resist that deal? 

I didn't used to share the messy 'before' photos - but what the heck.  If it's good enough for so many of the Bead Soup Cafe girls - it's good enough for me!
This corner was totally changed from the original idea.  Yesterday, there was a blanket chest in this spot.  Pretty - but not nearly large enough to hold what I hope will be MOST of the holiday items.  So Sally, being the cleaning and organizing wizard that she is - offered to help move the chest, AND clean the floors and hardwood too.  Ok, Sally.  But you may be sorry....:0) 
The space holds a card table much better - and I think I can 'stack' things nicely.  Got some killer stacking boxes at Hobby Lobby today - wait till you see....
This is my bookshelf, and also the shelf I keep all my shipping supplies on.  That's what's under the cloth.  I will use the top two shelves to showcase some of my more expensive pieces, as this is the spot where the 'checkout' table will be, so they'll have to ask before trying on or touching those.  Normally I'm a pretty trusting person, but I've been told that literally 1,000's of people could pass through in the 3 day period - and that there have been issues with that in past, unfortunately.  :(  So better safe than sorry...


Pile of necklaces that Sally so kindly pulled out of the 'if' box.  Where I'll find to display them, I've got no clue.  But I have a whole week to figure it out!
 


And here are the stacking boxes I found today!  The tops of the boxes are red glitter, which MATCH the red glitter 'Believe' piece that I use to display with during the holidays.  I'm not sure why, but I went totally WILD with this animal holiday pattern, and got boxes, bags, tissue paper, bows - with the same pattern.  COOL MOON indeed!  People will definitely remember where there got items wrapped in animal holiday tissue paper!

The "Believe" will probably go on the big round table - but since it gets used for actually WORKING at (not eating - working) during the week - that will be the last thing that I decorate.  I have a big, round RED tablecloth that will adorn it.  Those snowflake cut out squares there are FELT placemats that I got at Homegoods for about a buck.  Man, I love that store....
 

So right now - it's a big fat mess. BUT - everything is priced, initialed (there are 4 of us, so we each need our respective initials on the tags), and I have SOME semblance of an idea of how the traffic will flow from room to room.    Tracy Kraft of Vintage TK crafts and linens dropped off ONE load of her items last night - hard to tell what's in those bags - a lot of pillows, embroidery, vintage fabrics, aprons - and a whole host of vintage items.  She's an antique dealer - there will be MANY vintage holiday treasures.  I'll for sure get a photo of the AFTER.   
 

 
It's been fun remembering that we have to go through the back of house to get to the room that's used on the other side of the dividing screen.  I have to turn around and backtrack every time! 
Anyway - it really is a mess right now.  Can't wait to see how the AFTER turns out.  Sally is predicting over $1,000 in sales.  I'll just be happy if people show UP!
Don't forget to comment for a chance to win the mix it up bead mix on Thanksgiving!  The next thing on my 'to do' list is to sit down and find MORE things to add to the mix.  You won't be disappointed.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN
 

11 comments:

flyingbeader said...

I haven't done a show in years..but remember all the decisions to make...and I shared a booth with my persnickity husband...who kept rearranging our stuff with his out front....sheesh...good you have a friend to help out. Good luck on BIG SALES!

Unknown said...

I wish you the very best of luck. It sounds really stressful, but hopefully very fun as well.

Unknown said...

Good luck at your show hope you do well!
Lori

Unknown said...

I love the animal print!!! Good luck can't wait to see the after pics.

Unknown said...

I think that you and your friend have a great idea! I know a few local artists and I think it would be great to do the same. I thank you for all of the great pictures and I am really excited to see the after pictures Thanks for sharing! Great blog.

coolmoon said...

Actually, Jeweled Inspirations, what we're a part of is a 30 YEAR tradition in our little township called "Holt Holiday Sampler" that someone way back then started for hunting widows to sell and shop from each other while the hubbies were gone. It's gotten very popular, and people come from miles around. This is the FIRST time I have been a part, and that my home has been a part - but one of the girls that is joining me, that happens to be a friend, has been participating for several of those years herself - so she has a following that I HOPE will bring tons of traffic to my little corner of the town. Can't wait to show you all the after photos too!

ZenithJade said...

I get sick too if I stress out too much. This last Spring/early summer was just awful in that way for me. Boo! Couldn't sit down to make anything as therapy either because we had to move!

Anyways, great luck for your show! I hope you remember to have some FUN!

<3,
Andrea

gretchen said...

I've been involved in this kind of show before and I know how crazy it can make you, just trying to remember what you forgot to do! It's good you have other people helping, keeping an eye on things is difficult when you are checking out people at the same time. Good luck and please do post pictures when you get the final set up, you're sweet to share with us all!

Anonymous said...

Best of luck on your show! Sounds like you will be well prepared! Looking forward to seeing the after pictures.

lamplight crafts said...

Good Luck with your show. And I would like to enter your giveaway as well. lamplightcrafts@msn.com

KayzKreationz said...

Looks like your going to have a great show. And they're right. Put it all out. You may be surprised at what all sells. Have fun.